XXV General Assembly of the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian Cities: Conference on Sustainability, Blue Economy and Culture - 27 September 2025, Pescara
In the framework of the XXV General Assembly of the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian Cities (FAIC), the international conference “The Development of the Adriatic-Ionian Area between Sustainability, Blue Economy and Culture” was held at the Aurum Cultural and Congress Centre in Pescara. The event brought together mayors, institutional representatives, academics and stakeholders from across the Adriatic-Ionian Region to discuss shared strategies for sustainable growth, blue economy opportunities and cultural cooperation.
The conference opened with a video message from the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, who underlined the strategic role of the Adriatic and Ionian basin within the wider Mediterranean, as well as Italy’s support for European integration and regional connectivity. His remarks were followed by the welcome addresses of Carlo Masci, Mayor of Pescara, and Luigi Albore Mascia, President of the FAIC, who both stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation among cities in the macro-region.
The programme was structured into two thematic panels. The first panel, dedicated to sustainability and blue economy, featured interventions by Ambassador Fabio Pigliapoco, Head of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative Permanent Secretariat; Eleonora Tramannoni, Secretary General of the Forum of the Adriatic Ionian Chambers of Commerce; Silvia Mangialardo, representing UniAdrion and Pietro Francesco De Lotto, President of the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change of the European Economic and Social Committee.
In his contribution, Ambassador Pigliapoco highlighted the role of the Forum of Cities as a “vital bridge” between Brussels and local communities, recalled the recent celebration of the 25th anniversary of the AII as a milestone that further strengthens regional cooperation, and underlined the importance of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans as a strategic choice for Europe’s stability.
The second panel focused on culture and regional cooperation, with contributions from mayors, cultural operators and academic representatives, who stressed the importance of cultural heritage as a driver for social cohesion and sustainable tourism in the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
The conference was organised under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Municipality of Pescara, the FAIC, the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce (Forum AIC), the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII), and UniAdrion.